FeliLeish: An Update on Feline Leishmaniosis and Factors Associated with Infection in Different Feline Populations from Italy
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Published:2023-11-14
Issue:11
Volume:12
Page:1351
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ISSN:2076-0817
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Container-title:Pathogens
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Pathogens
Author:
Spada Eva1ORCID, Castelli Germano2ORCID, Bruno Federica2ORCID, Vitale Fabrizio2, La Russa Francesco2ORCID, Biondi Vito3ORCID, Accettulli Sara2, Migliazzo Antonella4ORCID, Rossi Aurora1ORCID, Perego Roberta1ORCID, Baggiani Luciana1, Proverbio Daniela1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy 2. Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy 3. Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo SS. Annunziata, 98122 Messina, Italy 4. Dipartimento di Prevenzione UOC Sanità Animale, Igiene degli Allevamenti e delle Produzioni Zootecniche, ASL Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy
Abstract
Feline leishmaniosis is a worldwide infection caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania transmitted by sandflies. Based on the complexity of epidemiology and diagnosis of this infection, the role of cats in the epidemiology and clinical impact of disease is still under debate. By using serological and molecular methods, this study aimed to update the epidemiology of the infection in different feline populations from various areas of Italy and to study factors associated with the infection. Of 1490 cats tested, 124 (8.3%, 95% CI 6.9–9.9) were infected, 96 had only specific L. infantum IgG, 18 were only positive for parasite DNA and 10 were both IFAT and qPCR positive. Risk factors for infection were sampling in the winter season (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.2–4.8), originating from the Sicily region (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.3–3.0), male gender (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.2), outdoor lifestyle (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.9–5.6) and seropositivity for FIV antibodies (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.2), while sampling in the spring (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.7) and summer (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7), and originating from the Lazio region (OR = 0.1, 95% CI 0.05–0.4) were protective factors for infection. In endemic areas, Leishmania infection should be investigated by using both serological and molecular methods and cats should be protected from sandfly bites, particularly if they are FIV infected.
Funder
Ministero della Salute
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Microbiology (medical),General Immunology and Microbiology,Molecular Biology,Immunology and Allergy
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